MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 79 degrees
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Assistant Referees: Eduardo Mariscal, Michael Kampmeinert Fourth Official: Alex Chilowicz
Local TV: ROOT SPORTS
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline reporter), Nat Borchers (field analyst)
English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst), Fletcher Johnson (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Oscar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Returning to MLS action after a two-week break from league play, the Portland Timbers will play host to Real Salt Lake at Providence Park on Wednesday, July 19. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Real Salt Lake will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Entering Wednesday’s match, the Timbers are unbeaten in their last three games, most recently coming off a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire at Providence Park on July 5. Forward Fanendo Adi scored his 10th goal of the season in the draw against the Fire, while midfielder Sebastián Blanco recorded his third goal in 2017. Real Salt Lake enters Wednesday’s game coming off a 6-2 win against the LA Galaxy on July 4. Forward Yura Movsisyan leads the team in goals (6).
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers battled the Chicago Fire to a 2-2 draw before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on July 5. Forward Fanendo Adi scored his 10th goal of the season in the draw against Chicago, while midfielder Sebastián Blanco recorded his first career goal at Providence Park, and his third overall in 2017.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Wednesday’s match marks the 18th league contest between Portland and Real Salt Lake, dating back to the start of the 2011 MLS campaign. Entering Wednesday’s match, the Timbers are currently riding an eight-game unbeaten streak against Real Salt Lake, dating back to June 7, 2014. During that stretch, the Timbers have outscored Real Salt Lake 10-5, while also recording five clean sheets, including three clean-sheet victories. In the most recent meeting between the two teams at Providence Park, the Timbers took a 1-0 win on Sept. 10, 2016, with forward Fanendo Adi scoring the game-winning goal in the 12th minute.
LAST TIME VS. REAL SALT LAKE
The Portland Timbers defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Sept. 10, 2016, as Portland celebrated its 100th consecutive regular-season sellout since joining MLS in 2011.
SCOUTING REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake enters Wednesday’s match coming off a convincing 6-2 win against the LA Galaxy on Tuesday, July 4. The 6-2 win against the Galaxy snapped a six-game losing streak for Real Salt Lake, with the Western Conference club dropping three points in six straight games over a three-month span (April 29-June 24). Forward Yura Movsisyan leads the team in goals (6). RSL is also fresh off an international friendly against Manchester United to whom they fell 2-1 on Monday, July 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
GENEROUS PLAY
The Timbers have recorded 16 assists in their last 13 games played, recording 28 overall assists this season. Overall, Portland has five different players with three or more assists for Portland this season, with Diego Valeri leading the way with seven assists. Additionally, midfielder David Guzmán delivered his fifth assist of the season on June 25. It was his third assist direct from a set piece this season, tying him for the MLS lead in that category.
